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Obama's Reaction To Killing Of 5 Dallas Police Officers

"We are horrified over these events, and we stand united with the people and the police department in Dallas," said President Barack Obama, who is in Warsaw, Poland, for a NATO summit.

He was referring to the assassination-style murders of law enforcement officials in Dallas on July 7.

The killings, allegedly perpetrated by snipers positioned atop nearby buildings, occurred during an otherwise peaceful protest against the recent fatal shootings by police of two black men: Alton Sterling on July 5 and Philando Castile the following day.

Four Dallas police officers and one Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer were shot dead in the attack. Six other officers and one civilian were wounded, reports the Dallas Morning News.

Two of the deceased officers were identified as Brent Thompson and Patrick Zamarripa, according to the Daily Mail.

Obama called the incident "a vicious calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement,” adding that "we will learn more undoubtedly about their twisted motivations, but let's be clear there's no possible justification for these kinds of attacks, or any violence against law enforcement," the Dallas Morning News reports.

Speaking in general about the fraternity of police officers, he went on to say: "They are heartbroken; the entire city of Dallas is grieving. Police across America, which is a tight-knit family, feels this loss to their core, and we're grieving with them. As a nation, let's remember to express our profound gratitude to our men and women in blue, not just today but every day."

The President noted that he had spoken with Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and offered the city federal assistance.

Obama also referenced a speech he gave on July 7 in reaction to the deaths of Sterling and Castile. According to the President, at that time he said police "have an extraordinarily difficult job, and the vast majority of them do their job in outstanding fashion."

"Today is a wrenching reminder of the sacrifices they make for us," he added.

He also made reference to the controversial issue of gun control, saying that "we also know when people are armed with powerful weapons, unfortunately it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic."

The killings in Dallas bring the number of police officers killed in the U.S. this year to 58, the Daily Mail reports.

The total number of suspects is not known, but three gunmen are now in custody, and a fourth allegedly killed himself during a shootout with police in a nearby parking garage.

Obama has promised that “anyone involved in these senseless murders will be held accountable and justice will be done.”